"This young lady, why are you standing alone by the roadside?"
"Want us to keep you company?"
…
Three thugs appeared silently, making Mio Naruse frown at once. Compared to them, Takumi—who had only stared at her briefly when leaving the shopping street—felt almost restrained.
Her expression turned icy, glaring fiercely at the three figures. "Don't come near me. Whoever dares step closer, I'll kill him a hundred times!"
At her forceful threat, the three "thugs" split their mouths wide to their ears, letting out deep, excited howls.
"You can see me!!"
"You can see us!!"
"Haahhh!!!"
Their bodies twisted grotesquely, transforming before her eyes into the hideous forms of cursed spirits.
"Hiss—"
Mio's pupils shrank, sucking in a sharp breath. It was her first time facing such a scene, and her heart nearly stopped. She staggered backward, collapsing to the ground.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
In that instant, three thin needles of light shot through the cursed spirits' bodies. The holy light attribute within the magic burned them to ash in moments.
Takumi stood not far away, lowering his hand.
Ever since awakening his demon bloodline, he'd gained something like the "spirit sight" ability. The first time he saw low-level cursed spirits, they startled him—but he soon realized they were weaklings.
[Ding! Points +0.03]
Seeing the notification, Takumi's expression shifted to surprise. "I haven't been a hero in years. How come I suddenly get points again? Could it be because of the Fallen Angel bloodline—am I recognized as one of them now?"
The thought flashed through his mind, but he didn't dwell on it. Earning points was no bad thing. At worst, they could pay debts or heal wounds. Points were true hard currency. The only pity was that low-level cursed spirits had no Traits to plunder—killing them brought no real gain.
Exhaling, Takumi walked over to the shaken Mio Naruse. "Are you alright? Low-level cursed spirits are tricksters. Be careful next time."
He reached out and pulled her up from the ground. Under the glow of the streetlamp, her thighs glistened faintly.
…Wet herself?
Takumi blinked in surprise, then discreetly pulled a few tissues from his shopping bag.
"Huh?"
Startled, Mio Naruse stared blankly for a few seconds at the tissues he offered. A faint blush colored her flawless cheeks, spreading to her ears.
"T-thank you…"
She bit her lip, lowered her head, and took the tissues. Seeing Takumi not moving, she cast him a shy glare before turning away to clean herself.
As her panicked thoughts settled, Mio found her voice again. "Who are you? Why… why did you suddenly save me?"
Considering her circumstances, her words carried a thread of caution. Yet Takumi had saved her. No matter her shame, her tone remained sincere.
"Let me introduce myself. I'm Takumi Akabane. My main job is student, but I moonlight as half a hero, an exorcist, a demon slayer, and so on. I just came to Kuoh today, went shopping for necessities, and happened to run into you. What about you?"
Mio blinked at his long list of side professions. She didn't fully understand, but it sounded impressive.
When it came to introducing herself, however, she hesitated. Her own circumstances were far too strange. She'd been an ordinary high school student until monsters suddenly hunted her, only to be saved by someone claiming to be her subordinate—Maria.
She later learned she was a descendant of the Gremory clan, one of the Seventy-Two Pillars of demons, still extant even now. That made her a target of countless enemies in the Underworld. Yet the Gremory family had never formally acknowledged her, leaving her status painfully awkward—unable to rise, unable to fall.
The only one protecting her was Maria, a succubus, sent at her mother's behest. Otherwise, she wouldn't have come. They had even assumed the guise of sisters, with Maria taking the name "Mario Naruse" while Mio herself became "Mio Naruse," and together they came to Kuoh seeking shelter.
The past half year had felt like a dream. And just half an hour ago, Maria said she was going to receive important intelligence. She left… and never came back.
Deep down, Mio wondered if she had been abandoned. The thought made tears well in her eyes.
"Hey, hey, I only asked who you are. Don't cry!"
Takumi panicked as she teared up.
"I-I'm not crying~"
Stubbornly, Mio forced the tears back, bowing her head and whispering. "My name is Mio Naruse. Right now… right now…"
She trailed off, unsure where to begin explaining. But Takumi, hearing her name alone, understood. Mio Naruse.
Her situation was clearly complicated. In the Hero Village, there was no record of a Toujou Basara. And now she seemed homeless, a far cry from his memories.
After pondering for a few seconds, Takumi said. "If you don't have anywhere to go right now, why don't you come stay at my place for a while?"
Inviting a girl he'd just met home in the middle of the night—this was a first even for him.
Hearing his words, Mio's lips parted, a spark of light flickering in her eyes. Though shy and uneasy, if there was anyone she could trust right now, it was Takumi. At least, judging by his actions, he bore her no malice.
"Ara, ara~ I step away for just a moment, and Mio-sama's already about to be whisked away by a man!"
A teasing, honeyed voice rang out behind her, cutting Mio's thoughts short. Takumi turned, and there she was—a silver-haired loli in Gothic lolita dress.
Her face was exquisitely cute, skin smooth as petals. Silky white hair draped over her shoulders, curling slightly at the ends, decorated with two round hairpins like playful candies. A black dress hugged her petite frame, lace trim and violet bows adding sweetness and charm. Knee-high boots lent a hint of maturity, while her delicate legs revealed her balanced, petite form.
At a glance, she looked pure and adorable. But with a closer look, a faintly seductive aura emanated, dangerous and alluring.
Takumi couldn't help but feel a violent urge—to ravage her thoroughly.
...
If we reach 100 Power Stones this week, I'll release a mass drop of 10 chapters as a thank-you for your amazing support!